Whistling Woods International (WWI), the dream project
of Subhash Ghai, will commence its first academic year
in July 2006. Promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd, the
institute will be located in Mumbai.

It will provide training across all technical and
creative aspects of filmmaking, television and
animation in its first phase, with a full-time,
two-year, intensive, hands-on training program. The
programme, costing around Rs 11 lakh, will provide 84
weeks of comprehensive training and hands-on
experience in specialized realms of filmmaking. Areas
covered include Cinematography, Direction, Editing and
Business of Film Television, Sound Recording and
Design, Screenwriting, Animation and Acting.
Kurt Inderbitzin, a producer-director from Los
Angeles, will head the institute. He has 12 years of
experience in developing, writing, directing and
producing movies and TV shows for major studios and
cable networks including CBS, ABC, Lifetime, NBC, TBS,
TNT, HBO and Warner Brothers Network.

Subhash Ghai, Chairman, WWI, said, “Whistling Woods
International is my way of returning to the industry
what it has taught me over the last 27 years.

Whistling Woods will act as a stepping stone for
anyone who wants to make inroads into the world of
Television, Cinema and Animation. WWI will have the
very best to offer, at par with international
standards, be it in technology, faculty or resources.”
Key faculty include Shyam Benegal (Chairman of
Academic Council), Aruna Raje (VP, Academic Affairs),
Naseeruddin Shah (HOD, Acting), Ashish Kulkarni (HOD,
Animation), Anjum Rajabali (HOD, Screenwriting), Rajen
Kothari (HOD, Cinematography), Rakesh Ranjan (HOD,
Sound Recording and Design), and Umesh Gupta (HOD,
Editing).

“We are absolutely devoted to putting our students
first and giving them the creative freedom, the
technical skills, the business edge, and yes the
connections and know-how to build careers in the film
and television industry,” explained Kurt Inderbitzin,
Dean, WWI.

The institute will also offer workshops and short-term
courses tailored to meet the needs of practising
industry professionals who wish to upgrade their skill
level.